Bachelor of Science in Chemistry - Biochemistry Option
The School of Chemistry and Biochemistry has a vibrant program of study leading to a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. The flexibility of the curriculum allows students to study fundamental areas of chemistry while tailoring their degree with technical and free electives to produce a well-rounded experience in preparation for a variety of career opportunities. Students may pursue tailored tracks towards the BS in Chemistry, including those allowing specialization in: pre-health science, biochemistry, business, and a polymers and materials option. There are also tremendous opportunities to gain valuable research experience in state-of-the-art laboratories. In addition to coursework requirements, students in the program often participate in a variety of experiential programs, including: undergraduate research, cooperative work, study abroad, summer internship, and serving as an undergraduate teaching assistant.
Faculty in the school are committed to undergraduate education and several have won awards for excellence in teaching. With a faculty to student ratio of approximately 1:8, the School prides itself on the close contact that it maintains with its undergraduate students. The high quality of the curriculum and faculty is part of the reason chemistry graduates receive job offers at the highest salary levels for BS chemists. Graduates of the BS in Chemistry pursue careers such diverse field as forensics, environmental science, nanoscience, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals in industry or governmental organizations; or they may continue their education in the chemical or biological sciences, or in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and law. Chemistry, especially with the biochemistry option (or the stand-alone BS in Biochemistry degree) is a superb preparation for medical school.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness | ||
| APPH 1040 | Scientific Foundations of Health | 2 |
| or APPH 1050 | The Science of Physical Activity and Health | |
| Core A - Essential Skills | ||
| ENGL 1101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ENGL 1102 | English Composition II | 3 |
| MATH 1552 | Integral Calculus | 4 |
| Core B - Institutional Options | ||
| CS 1301 | Introduction to Computing | 3 |
| or CS 1315 | Introduction to Media Computation | |
| or CS 1371 | Computing for Engineers | |
| Core C - Humanities | ||
| Any HUM | 6 | |
| Core D - Science, Math, & Technology | ||
| PHYS 2211 | Introductory Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 2212 | Introductory Physics II | 4 |
| MATH 1551 | Differential Calculus | 2 |
| MATH 1553 | Introduction to Linear Algebra 4 | 2 |
| Core E - Social Sciences | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| The United States to 1877 | ||
| The United States since 1877 | ||
| American Government in Comparative Perspective | ||
| Government of the United States | ||
| American Constitutional Issues | ||
| Any SS | 9 | |
| Core F - Courses Related to Major | ||
| CHEM 1211K | Chemical Principles I | 4 |
| CHEM 1212K | Chemical Principles II | 4 |
| CHEM 2380 | Synthesis Laboratory I | 2 |
| MATH 2551 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| BIOS 1107 & 1107L | Biological Principles and Biological Principles Laboratory | 4 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| CHEM 2214 | Quantitative Chemical Analysis | 4 |
| CHEM 2311 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 2312 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| or CHEM 2313 | Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry | |
| CHEM 2601 | Professional Skills for Chemists and Biochemists | 1 |
| CHEM 3111 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 3211 | Analytical Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 3380 | Synthesis Laboratory II | 3 |
| CHEM 3411 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 3412 | Physical Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 3481 | Physical Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| Biochemistry Option | ||
| CHEM 4511 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 4512 | Biochemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 4581 | Biochemistry Laboratory I | 3 |
| CHEM 4601 | Chemistry Seminar | 2 |
| Biochemistry Lab Elective 1,2 | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: 2 | 3 | |
| Biophysical Chemistry | ||
| Biochemistry Laboratory II | ||
| Drug Design, Development, and Delivery | ||
| Microbiology | ||
| Cell and Molecular Biology | ||
| Medical Microbiology | ||
| Microbial Physiology | ||
| Experimental Design and Statistical Methods in Biological Sciences | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Eukaryotic Molecular Genetics | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Free Electives 2,3 | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 122 | |
Pass-fail only allowed for Free Electives.
| 1 | BIOS 3450 & BIOS 3451 , OR BIOS 3380 & BIOS 3381, OR CHEM 4582. If four credit hours are totaled, extra counts toward Free Electives. |
| 2 | Courses may be applied toward completion of a minor. |
| 3 | VIP courses may be used only as free electives. |
| 4 |
International Plan
The BS in Chemistry (International Plan) and BS in biochemistry (International Plan) are offered to undergraduate students seeking to understand their majors in a global perspective. Students in this program must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language; complete coursework in a country/regional elective, international relations, and global economics; and participate study or research abroad experience (usually in the junior year). While abroad, students who are pursuing a research experience are required to complete a supervised project with a faculty member in chemistry or biochemistry at the host institution. Upon successful completion of degree requirements for the International Plan, a "International Plan" designator is indicated on the diploma. If interested in participating in the International Plan as part of the BS in Chemistry or BS in Biochemistry, students should visit: www.internationalplan.gatech.edu.
Research Option
The BS in Chemistry (Research Option) and BS in Biochemistry (Research Option) are offered for students who wish to participate in a research problem under the supervision of one of the fifty members of faculty and adjunct faculty in the School. Participants in the Research Option learn how to address a research problem from experiment design and execution to interpretation of results. There is an expectation that undergraduates who contribute to completed studies will be co-authors on submissions to high-quality scholarly journals. Research projects are available in the traditional areas of chemistry (analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, physical, and polymer chemistry) as well as highly interdisciplinary research areas, such as nanochemistry, polymer and materials chemistry, environmental chemistry and sensors, medicinal chemistry, molecular biophysics, and computational chemistry.
To participate in the Research Option in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, students should find a research project with a faculty member in the department and apply online via www.undergradresearch.gatech.edu. Successful completion of the Research Option requires the following:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following Research Options: 1 | 9 | |
| Undergraduate Research Assistantship | ||
| LMC 4701 | Undergraduate Research Proposal Writing (complete during the first or second semester of research) 2 | 1 |
| LMC 4702 | Undergraduate Research Thesis Writing (take during the term in which students complete their thesis) 3 | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours | 11 | |
| 1 | supervised research with a chemistry or biochemistry faculty over three or more semesters |
| 2 | approval of this proposal on project by a committee of two or more faculty |
| 3 | submission of an approved thesis |
Successful completion of the Research Option is noted on the student's transcript. Students completing this degree may pursue graduate studies in the chemical or biological sciences or research careers in industrial or governmental laboratories.